Has anyone changed Doctors at SGF?

[Anonymous]

Hi just wondering if you have changed Drs at SGF. I am going to the Rockville office and wanted to talk with another Dr there. I am doing shared-risk so I would like to stay there. Thanks

[Anonymous]

From what I understand, it's somewhat difficult to switch. The Rockville REs are all very seasoned, so my guess is that it's somewhat unlikely. Do you mind me asking which doc and for what reason? The only person I know of who successfully switched was dealing with severe MF issues and the RE she was seeing was newer and didn't have the experience she needed for her DH's case. I have been a patient there for a long time (Rockville) and may be able to share some insight if it is more personality related than medical issue related.

[Anonymous]

I switched dr's within the DC office. I told the first one I just wanted my chart to get a second set of eyes on it. Doc #1 was very professional and said that I could either stay after the second opinion or stick with #2. It wasn't personality-related; I was at the end of my plan and thought someone with more experience might shed a different light on the problem. Turns out, #2 said the same as #1, which ended up working out! Anyhow, at the time I was glad with my decision b/c it gave me a little more confidence that I was doing everything in my power to have a baby.

[Anonymous]

OP: I don't want to change because I don't like my RE it is to get another opinion. Maybe I should tell my current RE. I probably need to go somewhere else. Thanks I am just so heartbroken over my situation.

[Anonymous]

I am the PP who asked which doctor. I adore(d) my SG doctor and he gave it his best to get me pregnant. I had success a couple of times, but m/c. I was heartbroken at even thinking of getting a second opinion, but knew it was something I had to do, and was shocked at how supportive my doc was when I told him. He said to bring the consult information back to him, so that he could see if there were things he could incorporate into a cycle for me. My second opinion was at Cornell, which offers things that SG cannot - like co-culture. And while we did review things and he did indicate there were things he could change for another cycle, I decided I needed to do the cycle at Cornell so that I would never wonder "what if" if I ultimately don't have success with my OE.

[Anonymous]

PP: Thanks for your response, I hope Cornell helped you get pregnant? I have a very long story with late preg loss and another M/C. I am AMA and use donor eggs. But for some reason now I can't get pregnant at all. I do have a clotting disorder that made me lose my baby 2 yrs ago. I want more testing done such as NKC but SGF does not believe in any of that. I wish I could find a Dr to do the testing for me and treat me but let me stay at SG for the shared risk. I really just wish I had my daughter back. Thanks for listening.

[Anonymous]

I did shared risk and stayed at SG because of it but in the end they couldn't help me. My conclusion they are just for patients with very basic infertility needs and nothing complicated so if you do not fit their tried protocols I would look elsewhere before you run out of time.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I am so sorry for your losses and can relate to where you are. I am in the 2ww from my Cornell cycle, so don't know yet if it worked. SG and most other local clinics don't believe in or treat immune issues. The options I am aware of are outside of this area. Dr. Jonathan Scher in NY is one option. Dr. Coulam in Chicago is another. SIRM does diagnose immune issues, but will only treat them for their patients. I can't imagine that you won't be able to get the issues treated elsewhere (if anything is identified) and still do the shared risk program at SG.

[Anonymous]

OP-PP---Thanks for the info, I have an appointment with Sirm in 3 weeks. So Dr Coulam and Dr Scher will treat you if needed and let you stay at SGF? I think DR. Beers clinic does too. I have not found anyone here in the DC area that does. Good luck to you in your 2weeks. Hope for a BFP. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Scher and Coulam are not REs, so they would treat you and let you cycle wherever. I will say that I have heard Scher charges $1000 for the initial consult and then another $1000 to give you the results. Not sure what Coulam charges. I would see what SIRM has to say abt the immune issues (they may even do some of the testing) and what they have to say about protocol/cycling, then go from there with regards to cycling there or using a RI (Reproductive Immunologist) and SG.

Thanks for the well wishes on my cycle. Fingers crossed that this one worked!